Horseplay Inflatables, LLC v. Ruisi
Plaintiff: Horseplay Inflatables, LLC
Defendant: Nino Joseph Ruisi, III
Case Number: 8:2025cv03477
Filed: December 19, 2025
Court: U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Presiding Judge: Natalie Hirt Adams
Referring Judge: John L Badalamenti
Nature of Suit: Trademark
Cause of Action: 15 U.S.C. § 1125 Trademark Infringement (Lanham Act)
Jury Demanded By: Plaintiff
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Docket Report

This docket was last retrieved on May 26, 2026. A more recent docket listing may be available from PACER.

Date Filed Document Text
May 26, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 54 ORDER. Plaintiff's Motion for Temporary Injunction (Doc. #15) is DENIED. See Order for details. Signed by Judge John L. Badalamenti on 5/26/2026. (SV)
May 17, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 53 ENDORSED ORDER denying without prejudice #44 Motion to Stay Proceedings. Defendant's motion to stay proceedings is denied without prejudice.Signed by Judge John L. Badalamenti on 5/17/2026. (Badalamenti, John)
May 6, 2026 Filing 52 First MOTION to Dismiss tro/case dismiss tro motion by Carlin, First MOTION to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction full dismissal secondary to tro dismiss by Nino Joseph Ruisi, III. (Ruisi, Nino)
April 29, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 51 ENDORSED ORDER. Plaintiff moves for the fourth time to bring claims against third-parties Dirk Steffen and Joseph Petkiewicz. Docs. 30, 46, 48, 50. The Court has twice warned Plaintiff that he needs to explain how his proposed claims comport with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 14, which only allows a defendant to bring claims on a "nonparty who is or may be liable to [the defendant] for all or part of the claim against it." Docs. 31, 49. The motion (Doc. 50) fails to address Rule 14's requirement. Accordingly, it is DENIED. Signed by Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams on 4/29/2026.(CJF)
April 28, 2026 Filing 50 Fourth MOTION to Amend Answers with countersuit, reconsideration with evidence to support joinder and piercing corp veil by Nino Joseph Ruisi, III. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit Steffen ban from paypal and customs)(Ruisi, Nino) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams.
April 27, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 49 ENDORSED ORDER denying without prejudice #48 motion to amend answer and counterclaims. Defendant seeks, in his amendment, to bring third-party claims against Dirk Steffen and Joseph Petkiewicz. As the Court has previously explained, the basis of claims against third-parties must be indemnity, subrogation, contribution, express or implied warranty, or some other theory of secondary liability. Doc. 31. It does not appear from the motion and proposed amendment that Plaintiff's claims against Dirk Steffen and Joseph Petkiewicz fall within these categories. Any renewed motion should address whether Rule 14's requirements are satisfied. Signed by Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams on 4/27/2026. (CJF)
April 27, 2026 Filing 48 Second MOTION to Amend Verified Answers to complaint and verified countersuit by Nino Joseph Ruisi, III. (Attachments: #1 Main Document Answers amended and countersuit, #2 Exhibits 1 (stalking), #3 Exhibit 2 (cross injunctions))(Ruisi, Nino) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams. Modified text on 4/27/2026 (ABM).
April 14, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 47 ENDORSED ORDER denying without prejudice #46 first motion to amend verified answers to complaint and verified countersuit. Defendant merely files his proposed amended answers and counterclaim. But he must file a motion in support of his request that comports with the requirements of Local Rule 3.01(b) and (g). Signed by Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams on 4/14/2026. (CJF)
April 13, 2026 Filing 46 First MOTION to Amend Verified Answers to complaint and verified countersuit by Nino Joseph Ruisi, III. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit State court filings and harassment from plaintiff, #2 Exhibit harassment and threats from plaintiff via proxy stalking)(Ruisi, Nino) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams.
April 13, 2026 Filing 45 NOTICE by Horseplay Inflatables, LLC re #15 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order Verified MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Incorporated Memorandum of Law, 42 Order, 43 Order (Berner, Marshall)
April 13, 2026 Filing 44 MOTION to Stay proceedings and reasonable accommodation request by Nino Joseph Ruisi, III. (Ruisi, Nino) Modified on 4/13/2026 to edit docket text (JDR).
April 1, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 43 TEXT ORDER. As stated on the record at the Court's March 31, 2026 status conference, all deadlines in this case are STAYED pending further order of the Court. (Doc. #41). Plaintiff shall file its notice on or before April 13, 2026. (Doc. 42). The Court will then review the notice and set new deadlines accordingly. The Clerk shall keep this matter open and not close it in any way. Signed by Judge John L. Badalamenti on 4/1/2026. (BPC)
March 31, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 42 ORAL ORDER: On or before April 13, 2026, Plaintiff shall file a Notice advising the Court if it wants to proceed with an evidentiary hearing on the preliminary injunction in light of the proceedings held today. Signed by Judge John L. Badalamenti on 3/31/2026. (BGS)
March 31, 2026 Filing 41 Minute Entry. Virtual Proceedings held before Judge John L. Badalamenti: STATUS CONFERENCE held on 3/31/2026. Court Reporter: Lori Cecil Vollmer (BGS)
March 31, 2026 Filing 40 NOTICE of Lead Counsel Designation by Justin C. Carlin on behalf of Horseplay Inflatables, LLC. Lead Counsel: Justin C. Carlin. (Carlin, Justin)
March 27, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 39 TEXT ORDER. The Court has set a status conference for this matter on March 31, 2026, at 10 am via zoom. (Doc. 27). The Court hereby orders Plaintiff to have Joseph Michael Petkiewicz, II, who the Court assumes to be Plaintiff's chief executive officer or is otherwise employed by Plaintiff, attend the hearing. Signed by Judge John L. Badalamenti on 3/27/2026. (BPC)
March 27, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 38 TEXT ORDER. Defendant has filed two motions for a Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction (Docs. #35, #36). The motions are DENIED. First, Defendant asks this Court to stay an injunction entered against him and other rulings made in Florida state court. (Docs. #35, #36, 35-1 at 2). Defendant has already filed a motion seeking that relief (Doc. #33), which the Court denied (Doc. 34). The Court has explained to Defendant that it cannot modify the state court injunction entered against him. (Id.). Second, Defendant asks this Court to restrain Joseph Michael Petkiewicz, II, who the Court assumes to be an employee of Plaintiff, from contacting, harassing, or stalking Defendant. (Doc. 35-1 at 1). The Court has already explained to Defendant that the Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction involving a person who is not a party to this case. (Doc. 34). The Court is also aware that Defendant is seeking such relief in state court, which is the appropriate venue for such request. (Docs. 25, 35-3). Third, Defendant asks the Court to restrain Plaintiff from "cloning" Defendant's debit and credit cards. (Docs. #35, #36). To that end, Defendant accuses Plaintiff of engaging in grand larceny and criminal theft. (Docs. #35, #36). Fourth, Defendant asks the Court to restrain Plaintiff's use of the mark "Horseplay Toys". (Docs. #35, #36, 35-2). As to Defendant's third and fourth requests, Defendant has failed to comply with Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65 and this Court's Local Rules. See M.D. Fla. Loc. R. 6.01, 6.02. His motion lacks a legal memorandum establishing that he is entitled to injunctive relief. The Court strongly cautions Defendant that duplicative and frivolous motions will result in his CM/ECF access being revoked. Signed by Judge John L. Badalamenti on 3/27/2026. (BPC)
March 27, 2026 Filing 37 NOTICE TO COUNSEL Justin C. Carlin of Local Rule 2.02(a), which states, "The first paper filed on behalf of a party must designate only one lead counsel who - unless the party changes the designation - remains lead counsel throughout the action." Counsel must file a Notice of Lead Counsel Designation identifying lead counsel. (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (WLB)
March 25, 2026 Filing 36 MOTION to Supplement re #35 First Emergency Motion for Temporary Restraining Order by Nino Joseph Ruisi, III. (Attachments: #1 State Court Other Documents service discrepancy)(Ruisi, Nino) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams. Modified on 3/27/2026 to edit docket text. (WLB).
March 25, 2026 Filing 35 First MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order EMERGENCY by Nino Joseph Ruisi, III. (Attachments: #1 Proposed TRO, #2 Exhibit Harassment from horseplay inflatables to owner of HorseplayToys, #3 Exhibit State court hearing date against JP, #4 Exhibit State court impossibility/defaults)(Ruisi, Nino).
March 25, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 34 ENDORSED ORDER denying #33 Motion to Stay State Court Injunction. The state court injunction at issue involves a person who is not a party to this case. Moreover, it appears that the Court's intrusion into the state court injunction would violate the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, a legal principle stating that federal district courts lack jurisdiction to review state court judgments. Signed by Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams on 3/25/2026. (CJF)
March 23, 2026 Filing 33 First MOTION to Stay State court default injunction, First MOTION for Sanctions Litigation misconduct/misuse of 784. injunction for business dispute by Nino Joseph Ruisi, III. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit police report/ business debit card theft/cloned, #2 Exhibit Threats from plaintiff to misuse state ct)(Ruisi, Nino)
March 20, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 32 ENDORSED ORDER granting #29 motion to amend his answer to add a counterclaim. To the extent Defendant seeks to bring a counterclaim against Plaintiff (and not against third-parties), the motion is granted pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 13. Defendant shall file his amended answer and counterclaim on or before April 2, 2026. Signed by Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams on 3/20/2026. (CJF)
March 20, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 31 ENDORSED ORDER denying without prejudice #30 Motion to Bring Third-Party Claims. While it is apparent that Plaintiff believes he has claims against third-parties Dirk Steffen and Joseph Petkiewicz, it is not apparent to the Court that those claims belong in this action. Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 14, a defendant may bring third-party claims on a "nonparty who is or may be liable to [the defendant] for all or part of the claim against it." In other words, the basis of claims against third-parties must be indemnity, subrogation, contribution, express or implied warranty, or some other theory of secondary liability. It does not appear from the motion that Plaintiff's claims against Dirk Steffen and Joseph Petkiewicz fall within this category. Any renewed motion should address whether Rule 14's requirements are satisfied. Signed by Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams on 3/20/2026. (CJF)
March 18, 2026 Filing 30 MOTION for Leave to file First Amended Counter-Complaint by Nino Joseph Ruisi, III. (Attachments: #1 First Amended Answer, Affirmative Defenses and Verified Counter-Complaint, #2 Exhibit, #3 Mailing Envelope)(AA) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams.
March 18, 2026 Filing 29 MOTION for leave to Amend and to add counterclaims against additional parties #10 Answer to Complaint, by Nino Joseph Ruisi, III. (Attachments: #1 Mailing Envelope)(AA) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams.
March 18, 2026 Filing 28 UNILATERAL CASE MANAGEMENT REPORT. (Attachments: #1 Defendant's Competing Proposed Uniform Case Management Report)(Carlin, Justin)
March 18, 2026 Filing 27 NOTICE of Hearing: Status Conference set for 3/31/2026 at 10:00 AM in Zoom Video Conference before Judge John L. Badalamenti. All parties will receive an invitation to the hearing via email. Plaintiff shall be prepared to discuss the exact relief it is requesting in its motion for temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction (Doc. #15) and whether Plaintiff possesses a registered trademark or trade dress. The Court notes counsel's unavailability in Plaintiff's motion (Doc. #15 at 18) and thus schedules this hearing accordingly. (BGS) Modified on 3/18/2026 (BGS).
March 17, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 26 ENDORSED ORDER granting in part and denying in part #22 Motion for Reconsideration / Clarification. Defendant seeks reconsideration of the Court's order (Doc. 18) denying his request to seal his address from all but the Clerk and his request for CM/ECF access. For the reasons stated in Doc. 25, his motion to reconsider the sealing request is denied. However, Plaintiff has submitted new information (Doc. 19) suggesting he is indigent and unable to afford the postage necessary to file documents in this case. Therefore, his request for CM/ECF access is granted. Plaintiff may electronically file in this case. He must complete his non-attorney e-filing registration (see https://www.flmd.uscourts.gov/sites/flmd/files/documents/flmd-non-attorney-e-file-registration.pdf). Plaintiff is advised that failure to abide local rules, federal rules, or court orders, or filing excessive and meritless motions, will result in revocation of the privilege to file electronically in this case. Signed by Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams on 3/17/2026. (Adams, Natalie)
March 17, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 25 ENDORSED ORDER denying #21 Motion for Protective Order. Defendant again asks the Court to allow him to seal his mailing address. Defendant, a New York resident, explains that he is seeking an injunction against a Pinellas County resident who wishes to "lure Defendant into a physical meeting to determine his exact location." Thus, Defendant argues, forcing "public disclosure of his physical location under these circumstances creates a direct and imminent threat to [Defendant's] physical safety." However, as the Court previously explained, Defendant may use an address other than his residential mailing address in this case. Additionally, the Court notes that Defendant's address is on the public docket in the state court case in which he seeks the injunction. See Pinellas County, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Case No. 26-001508-FD. Thus, it does not appear that removing Defendant's address from this Court's docket would be either necessary or meaningful.. Signed by Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams on 3/17/2026. (Adams, Natalie)
March 17, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 24 ENDORSED ORDER denying as moot #19 Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. Defendant seeks permission to proceed in this action without prepaying fees and costs. Because he is the defendant, no filing fee is required of him. See https://www.flmd.uscourts.gov/fees. Signed by Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams on 3/17/2026. (Adams, Natalie)
March 17, 2026 Filing 23 NOTICE of filing Exhibits by Nino Ruisi re #22 EMERGENCY MOTION for Protective Order MOTION for Miscellaneous Relief, specifically Leave to file Address Under Seal MOTION for Reconsideration (Attachments: #1 Mailing Envelope)(AA)
March 17, 2026 Filing 22 EMERGENCY MOTION for Protective Order, MOTION for Leave to file Address Under Seal, MOTION for Reconsideration #17 by Nino Ruisi. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit, #2 Mailing Envelope)(AA) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams. Modified on 3/17/2026 (AA). Chambers notified.
March 17, 2026 Filing 21 EMERGENCY MOTION for Protective Order, MOTION for Leave to file Under Seal Address by Nino Ruisi. (Attachments: #1 Mailing Envelope)(AA) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams. Modified text on 3/17/2026 (AA). Chambers notified.
March 17, 2026 Filing 20 RESPONSE in Opposition re #15 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order Verified MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Incorporated Memorandum of Law filed by Nino Ruisi. (Attachments: #1 Mailing Envelope)(AA)
March 17, 2026 Filing 19 MOTION to Proceed In Forma Pauperis / Affidavit of Indigency by Nino Ruisi. (AA) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams. (Additional attachment(s) added on 3/17/2026: #1 Mailing Envelope) (AA).
March 12, 2026 Opinion or Order Filing 18 ENDORSED ORDER denying #17 Motion for ECF Access. The Court declines to make an exception to the general rule that "a pro se litigant is not permitted to file documents in CM/ECF." United States District Court Middle District of Florida, Administrative Procedures for Electronic Filing, p. 3 (April 1, 2024). Plaintiff states that CM/ECF access is necessary because he lives 2000 miles from Florida, but he has not shown that CM/ECF access is "necessary to avoid unreasonable burdens and to promote access to information." See Hebdon v. Diabetes & Endocrine Ctr. of Fla., P.A., No. 6:22-CV-1879-WWB-DCI, 2023 WL 2186038, at *2 (M.D. Fla. Feb. 23, 2023). Pro se litigants can file documents in person or by U.S. Mail and may access docket filings with PACER accounts. To the extent Plaintiff additionally seeks that the Court keep confidential his address, the federal rules require that he use an address in filings. Fed. R. Civ. P. 11(a). Should Plaintiff seek to keep his physical address confidential, Plaintiff may consider using a P.O. Box. Signed by Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams on 3/12/2026. (CJF)
March 9, 2026 Filing 17 MOTION for Permission to File Electronically by Nino Ruisi. (AA) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams.
March 9, 2026 Filing 16 NOTICE of Filing by Nino Ruisi. (AA)
March 6, 2026 Filing 15 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order, Verified MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and Incorporated Memorandum of Law by Horseplay Inflatables, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit A, #2 Exhibit B, #3 Exhibit C, #4 Exhibit D, #5 Exhibit E)(Carlin, Justin).
March 6, 2026 Filing 14 NOTICE of Appearance by Justin C. Carlin on behalf of Horseplay Inflatables, LLC (Carlin, Justin) Modified on 3/9/2026 to edit the docket text (MLB).
March 6, 2026 Filing 13 NOTICE TO COUNSEL Justin C. Carlin of Local Rule 2.01(b)(2)(B), which requires members of the Middle District bar to maintain with the clerk a current telephone number, mailing address, and email address. Update your contact information for the Middle District through PACER. (Signed by Deputy Clerk) (AR)
March 5, 2026 Filing 12 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT under Rule 7.1, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Rule 3.03 by Horseplay Inflatables, LLC. (Carlin, Justin)
March 5, 2026 Filing 11 NOTICE of a related action per Local Rule 1.07(c) by Horseplay Inflatables, LLC. Related case(s): Yes (Carlin, Justin)
February 6, 2026 Filing 10 ANSWER to #2 Complaint, by Nino Ruisi. (Attachments: #1 Exhibit, #2 Exhibit, #3 Mailing Envelope)(AA) (Note: Not signed, address for defendant not provided address on envelope is UPS address.) Modified text on 2/10/2026 (AA).
December 29, 2025 Filing 9 SUMMONS issued as to Nino Ruisi. (JVC)
December 23, 2025 Filing 8 PROPOSED summons to be issued by Horseplay Inflatables, LLC. (Carlin, Justin)
December 22, 2025 Opinion or Order Filing 7 CIVIL Action Order. Signed by Judge John L. Badalamenti on 12/22/2025. (BGS)
December 22, 2025 Filing 6 NOTICE informing the parties that they may consent to the jurisdiction of a United States magistrate judge by filing Form AO 85 Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge using the event Consent to Jurisdiction of US Magistrate Judge. (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (BGS)
December 22, 2025 Filing 5 NOTICE of Local Rule 1.07(c), Local Rule 3.02(a)(2), and Local Rule 3.03. -Local Rule 1.07(c) requires lead counsel to file promptly a Notice of a Related Action identifying and describing any related action either pending or closed in the Middle District or elsewhere. -Local Rule 3.02(a)(2) requires the parties in every civil proceeding, except those described in subsection (d), to file a case management report (CMR) using the uniform form at www.flmd.uscourts.gov. The CMR must be filed (1) within forty days after any defendant appears in an action originating in this court, (2) within forty days after the docketing of an action removed or transferred to this court, or (3) within seventy days after service on the United States attorney in an action against the United States, its agencies or employees. Judges may have a special CMR form for certain types of cases. These forms can be found at www.flmd.uscourts.gov under the Forms tab for each judge. -Local Rule 3.03 requires each party to file a disclosure statement. Counsel must make their disclosures using the standard court form. The Disclosure Statement form can be found at www.flmd.uscourts.gov. (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (BGS)
December 22, 2025 Filing 4 NEW CASE ASSIGNED to Judge John L. Badalamenti and Magistrate Judge Natalie Hirt Adams. New case number: 8:25-cv-3477-JLB-NHA. (RLD)
December 19, 2025 Filing 3 PROPOSED summons to be issued by Horseplay Inflatables, LLC. (Carlin, Justin)"Notified Counsel to Refile Summmons with the Correct District/State". Modified docket text on 12/23/2025 (JTM).
December 19, 2025 Filing 2 COMPLAINT against Defendant, Nino Ruisi, against Horseplay Inflatables, LLC with Jury Demand ( Filing fee $405 receipt number AFLMDC24255849) filed by Horseplay Inflatables, LLC. (Attachments: #1 Civil Cover Sheet, #2 Exhibit A, #3 Exhibit B, #4 Exhibit C, #5 Exhibit D, #6Exhibit E, #7 Exhibit F, #8Exhibit G, #9Exhibit H, #10Exhibit I, #11Exhibit J, #12 Exhibit K, #13Exhibit L, #14 Exhibit M)(Carlin, Justin).
December 19, 2025 Filing 1 NOTICE by Horseplay Inflatables, LLC Civil Coversheet (Carlin, Justin).

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Plaintiff: Horseplay Inflatables, LLC
Represented By: Justin C. Carlin
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Defendant: Nino Joseph Ruisi, III
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